Caring For Your New Puppy Or Kitten

Congratulations on your new arrival! Pet ownership is one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable experiences, yet comes with a duty of care. There are lots of aspects to new pet ownership, and remember that your pet doctors in Singapore are the best source of advice if you are unsure of how to best care for your new family member.

This article will help take you through most of the elements to consider when planning how to care for your new puppy or kitten.

Flea treatment

Fleas can cause anaemia, hair loss and weight loss, and can bite humans as well as pets! A flea burden in your home can be a nightmare to get rid of, so prevention is better than cure. To avoid a flea burden on your pet, use a good quality vet-approved product once a month, or as directed by your local pet clinic.

Worming treatment

Puppies and kittens need extra help fighting a worm burden and need more frequent treatment than adult cats and dogs. Worms cause weight loss, diarrhoea and vomiting, so a worm burden is best avoided.

Our recommended worming schedule is:

– Every two weeks until twelve weeks
– Once a month until six months of age
– Every three months for the rest of their lives

Vaccination

Vaccination protects your pet against potentially lethal diseases such as parvovirus, leptospirosis and distemper. A vaccination involves a small needle injected under the skin, and often your pet will not feel any side effects from the vaccination. A puppy and kitten need two to three vaccination boosters a month apart, with the last booster around the 16-week mark, as this is when the immunity they inherited from their mother ends, and so they need a booster to stimulate their own defence systems.

After the initial vaccination course, your pet will need a yearly booster to top up their protection.
To learn more see here.

Microchipping

A microchip will allow your pet to be reunited with you if they should ever go missing. The chip will remain active under your pet’s skin for life and is scanned to identify your pet by a vet clinic or animal rescue organisation. The microchip number is connected to a database with your details, so you can be contacted easily to reunite with your pet.

Feeding

Puppies and kittens need to eat a diet formulated for puppies and kittens- so look for a brand of food that is labelled as puppy or kitten. Puppy and kitten food is formulated to have all the essential elements such as calcium and phosphorus that they need to grow strong bones for example.

Puppies and kittens have small stomachs, so they need more meals than an adult. Ideally, they should be fed three to four meals a day and this is reduced as your puppy and kitten grows.

Desexing

Desexing is a surgical operation to remove your pet’s reproductive organs and offers many health benefits. This procedure is done from around six months of age, ask your veterinarian for more advice on this topic.

Socialisation

Puppies particularly need early socialisation. If they are not fully vaccinated yet, you can carry them out and about so they can see and enjoy meeting lots of different people and places. When they are fully vaccinated you can take them for lots of short walks so they can gain exposure to all the sights, smells and experiences they will enjoy for the rest of their lives. By doing this, you can help reduce the chances of behavioural problems such as phobias, anxiety disorders and destructive behaviour in the home. Learn more here.

Training

You can train both a puppy and a kitten! Keep sessions short, use treats and praise and avoid shouting or hitting your pet. Puppies especially need training to walk on a lead, learn to toilet outside and learn appropriate boundaries. Joining a puppy socialisation class will help in learning how to train your puppy.

Grooming

Start brushing your pet from a young age to get them used to being handled and touched in areas that might be a bit tickly, such as their feet. Grooming keeps your pet’s coat nice and healthy and is a good opportunity for you to check their skin for signs of fleas or signs of disease such as a rash or hair loss.

Dental care

Dental disease affects approximately two-thirds of pets over the age of three. Practicing good oral hygiene including tooth brushing can help keep your pet’s teeth healthy. Talk to your veterinarian at your local pet clinic for advice on brands and techniques.

Toys

Your new family member needs toys to enjoy some playtime. The variety of toys is more important than the number of toys, so try and look for toys that have different functions such as a thick rope for chewing in puppies, or a wand for chasing in kittens.

Kittens and puppies can become bored with their toys easily, so keep a few out and the rest in a toybox and rotate the toys regularly to give your pet variety and stimulation throughout the day.

Insurance

Insuring your new pet from the day you bring them home will give you peace of mind that they can access top healthcare should anything happen to them. Puppies and kittens are prone to accidents, so having insurance will allow you to treat their injuries without worrying about funding the costs of veterinary care yourself.

Summary

There are many aspects to caring for your new puppy or kitten, and it can feel a little overwhelming when you first bring them home. As you get to know each other, you will settle into a routine, and become familiar with your pet’s needs and wants. Your local veterinary clinic is the perfect source of advice if you are unsure about any aspect of puppy or kitten care, and they will be happy to answer your questions on the phone, or in person should you prefer.